[[image:George.jpg|right|thumb|The holy martyr George slaying the dragon in a 15th-century icon from Novgorod, now in the Russian Museum.]]The Great-[[Martyr]] '''George''' was a Christian Roman soldier killed under [[Diocletian]] at the beginning of the fourth century. Though he was born in Cappadocia, his mother was from Palestine, and thus he is a particular favorite of many Palestinian Christians. He is also the [[patron saint]] of Moscow, Georgia, and England, amongst other places. The Church commemorates George on [[April 23]].

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[[image:George.jpg|right|thumb|The holy [[martyr]] George slaying the dragon in a 15th-century [[icon]] from Novgorod, now in the Russian Museum.]]The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-[[martyr]] and Trophy-bearer '''George''' was a Christian Roman soldier killed under [[Diocletian]] at the beginning of the fourth century. Though he was born in Cappadocia, his mother was from Palestine, and thus he is a particular favorite of many Palestinian Christians. He is also the [[patron saint]] of Moscow, Georgia, and England, amongst other places. The Church commemorates George on [[April 23]], and the [[Translation (relics)|translation]] of his [[relics]] on [[November 3]].

==Life==

==Life==

According to [[Holy Tradition|Tradition]], George was born to a Christian family during the late 3rd century. His father was from Cappadocia and served as an officer of the army. His mother was from Lydda, Palestine. She returned to her native city as a widow along with her young son after the martyrdom of George's father, where she provided him with a respectable education and raised him in piety.

According to [[Holy Tradition|Tradition]], George was born to a Christian family during the late 3rd century. His father was from Cappadocia and served as an officer of the army. His mother was from Lydda, Palestine. She returned to her native city as a widow along with her young son after the martyrdom of George's father, where she provided him with a respectable education and raised him in piety.

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The youth, it would seem, followed his father's example in joining the army soon after his coming of age. He proved to be a charismatic soldier and consequently rose quickly through the military ranks of the time. By his late twenties he had gained the titles of ''Tribunus'' (Tribune) and later ''Comes'' (Count). By that time George had been stationed in Nicomedia as a member of the personal guard attached to Roman Emperor [[Diocletian]] (reign 284–305).

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The youth, it would seem, followed his father's example in joining the army soon after his coming of age. He proved to be a charismatic soldier and consequently rose quickly through the military ranks of the time. By his late twenties he had gained the titles of ''tribunus'' (tribune) and later ''comes'' (count). By that time George had been stationed in [[Nicomedia]] as a member of the personal guard attached to Roman Emperor [[Diocletian]] (reign 284–305).

In 303, Diocletian issued an edict authorising the systematic persecution of Christians across the Empire. His caesar, Galerius, was supposedly responsible for this decision and would continue the persecution during his own reign (305–311). It is believed that George was ordered to take part in the persecution but instead confessed to being a Christian himself and criticised the imperial decision. An enraged Diocletian proceeded in ordering the torture of this apparent traitor and his execution.

In 303, Diocletian issued an edict authorising the systematic persecution of Christians across the Empire. His caesar, Galerius, was supposedly responsible for this decision and would continue the persecution during his own reign (305–311). It is believed that George was ordered to take part in the persecution but instead confessed to being a Christian himself and criticised the imperial decision. An enraged Diocletian proceeded in ordering the torture of this apparent traitor and his execution.

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Then, after innumerable forms of torture, George was executed by decapitation in front of Nicomedia's defensive wall on April 23, 303. The witness of his suffering convinced Empress [[Alexandra the Empress|Alexandra]] and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to also become Christians, and so they also joined George in martyrdom as consequence. George's body was then returned to Lydda for burial, where Christians soon came to honour George as a martyr.

Then, after innumerable forms of torture, George was executed by decapitation in front of Nicomedia's defensive wall on April 23, 303. The witness of his suffering convinced Empress [[Alexandra the Empress|Alexandra]] and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to also become Christians, and so they also joined George in martyrdom as consequence. George's body was then returned to Lydda for burial, where Christians soon came to honour George as a martyr.

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==George and the Dragon==

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==George and the dragon==

St. George is often depicted with a dragon or some other serpentine creature under his feet. This comes from a legend whose details may vary according to local tradition.

St. George is often depicted with a dragon or some other serpentine creature under his feet. This comes from a legend whose details may vary according to local tradition.

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The tale begins with a dragon making its nest at the spring (or lake) that provides a town (either near Beirut or Silena, Libya, often) with water. Consequently, the citizens had to temporarily remove the dragon from its nest in order to collect water. To do so, they offered the dragon a daily human sacrifice. The victim of the day was chosen by drawing lots. Eventually, the "winner" of this lottery happened to be the local princess. The local monarch is occasionally depicted begging for her life with no result. She is offered to the dragon, but at this point a traveling George arrives. He faces the dragon, and, after invoking the name of the [[Holy Trinity]], slays it and saves the princess. The grateful citizens then abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity.

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The tale begins with a dragon making its nest at the spring (or lake) that provided a town (either near Beirut or Silena, Libya, often) with water. Consequently, the citizens had to temporarily remove the dragon from its nest in order to collect water. To do so, they offered the dragon a daily human sacrifice. The victim of the day was chosen by drawing lots. Eventually, the "winner" of this lottery happened to be the local princess. The local monarch is occasionally depicted begging for her life with no result. She is offered to the dragon, but at this point a traveling George arrives. He faces the dragon, and, after invoking the name of the [[Holy Trinity]], slays it and saves the princess. The grateful citizens then abandon their ancestral paganism and [[convert]] to Christianity.

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The story may or may not be taken entirely literally. For example, the battle between George and the Dragon may represent the battle between Christianity and Satan or St Michael, the archangel, and Lucifer. Dragon-slaying does appear to be a common religious theme; it may be the case that George has served as a christianized version of older Indo-European deities and their folklore.

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[[image:Georgedemetrius.jpg|left|thumb|Sts. George and Demetrius standing together.]]

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The story may or may not be taken entirely literally. For example, the battle between George and the dragon may represent the battle between Christianity and [[Satan]] or between St. [[Archangel Michael|Michael]], the archangel, and Lucifer. Dragon-slaying does appear to be a common religious theme; it may be the case that George has served as a Christianized version of older Indo-European deities and their folklore.

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[[Image:Georgedemetrius.jpg|left|thumb|Sts. George and Demetrius]][[Image:George Symvoulas.jpg|thumb|right|Icon of St. George from the Monastery of Christ of Symvoulas, in Cyprus]]

==Iconography==

==Iconography==

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St. George is most commonly depicted in early icons, mosaics and frescos wearing the armour of a Roman soldier . After the fall of Constantinople and the association of St George with the crusades, he is more often portrayed mounted upon a white horse. At the same time St. George began to be associated with St. Demetrius, the other early martyred Roman soldier. The two Saints are often portrayed together mounted upon horses, in this respect they are likened to earthly manifestations of the Archangels [[Archangel Michael|Michael]] and [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]]. (Equating George with Michael is understandable, as many icons of Michael portray him on a horse slaying a dragon.) St. George is always depicted upon a white horse and St. Demetrius on a red horse (or a black horse where the pigment used has decayed).

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St. George is most commonly depicted in early icons, mosaics and frescoes wearing the armour of a Roman soldier. After the fall of Constantinople and the association of St. George with the crusades, he is more often portrayed mounted upon a white horse. At the same time St. George began to be associated with St. Demetrius, another early martyred Roman soldier. The two saints are often portrayed together mounted upon horses; in this respect they are likened to earthly manifestations of the Archangels Michael and [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]]. (Equating George with Michael is understandable, as many icons of Michael also portray him on a horse slaying a dragon.) St. George is always depicted upon a white horse and St. Demetrius on a red horse (or a black horse where the pigment used has decayed).

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==Churches dedicated to St George the Trophy-bearer==

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==Churches==

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* St [[George of Symvoulas]] (Cyprus)

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In Lydda in Palestine (his mother's birthplace), a [[church]] dedicated to St. George and containing his relics is associated with miraculous healings. The dedication of the church under the reign of St. [[Constantine the Great|Constantine]] (305-337) is commemorated, with the translation of St. George's relics, on November 3.

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==Rare icons==

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Another church, dedicated to St. George recently, is associated with the Monastery of Christ of Symvoulas (Simvulo, Cyprus). This church is in construction and is referred to as "St. [[George of Symvoulas]]" in honour of an ancient icon bearing the same name and is associated with miraculous healings.

==Hymns==

==Hymns==

[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

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:You were bound for good deeds, O martyr of Christ: George;

:You were bound for good deeds, O martyr of Christ: George;

:by faith you conquered the torturer's godlessness.

:by faith you conquered the torturer's godlessness.

:You were offered as a sacrifice pleasing to God;

:You were offered as a sacrifice pleasing to God;

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:thus you received the crown of victory.

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:thus you received the [[crown]] of victory.

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:Through your intercessions, forgiveness of sins is granted to all.

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:Through your [[intercession]]s, forgiveness of [[sin]]s is granted to all.

*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/g/saintsg.htm "Come and See Icons"] (several icons of St. George)

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*[http://www.asna.ca/alaska/aleut/life-st-george.pdf Life of St. George - Great Martyr and Victory Bearer (PDF)] (in the Aleut language, 1868)

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;Archaeological articles:

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*[http://archaeology.kiev.ua/byzantine/art/grotowski.htm ''"The Legend of St. George Saving A Youth from Captivity and Its Depiction in Art"''] by Piotr Grotowski, Crakow University.

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*[http://archaeology.kiev.ua/byzantine/icon/chlenova1.htm Byzantine Relief "St. George with the Scenes of His Life"], by Larissa Chlenova, National Art Museum of Ukraine, Kiev

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[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]

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[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]

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[[Category:Byzantine Saints]]

[[Category:Martyrs]]

[[Category:Martyrs]]

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[[Category:4th-century saints]]

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[[ro:Sfântul mare mucenic Gheorghe, purtătorul de biruinţă]]

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[[el:Γεώργιος, Άγιος]]

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[[fr:Georges le Tropéophore]]

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[[ro:Gheorghe purtătorul de biruinţă]]

Revision as of 10:59, October 22, 2012

The holy martyr George slaying the dragon in a 15th-century icon from Novgorod, now in the Russian Museum.

The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-martyr and Trophy-bearer George was a Christian Roman soldier killed under Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. Though he was born in Cappadocia, his mother was from Palestine, and thus he is a particular favorite of many Palestinian Christians. He is also the patron saint of Moscow, Georgia, and England, amongst other places. The Church commemorates George on April 23, and the translation of his relics on November 3.

Contents

Life

According to Tradition, George was born to a Christian family during the late 3rd century. His father was from Cappadocia and served as an officer of the army. His mother was from Lydda, Palestine. She returned to her native city as a widow along with her young son after the martyrdom of George's father, where she provided him with a respectable education and raised him in piety.

The youth, it would seem, followed his father's example in joining the army soon after his coming of age. He proved to be a charismatic soldier and consequently rose quickly through the military ranks of the time. By his late twenties he had gained the titles of tribunus (tribune) and later comes (count). By that time George had been stationed in Nicomedia as a member of the personal guard attached to Roman Emperor Diocletian (reign 284–305).

In 303, Diocletian issued an edict authorising the systematic persecution of Christians across the Empire. His caesar, Galerius, was supposedly responsible for this decision and would continue the persecution during his own reign (305–311). It is believed that George was ordered to take part in the persecution but instead confessed to being a Christian himself and criticised the imperial decision. An enraged Diocletian proceeded in ordering the torture of this apparent traitor and his execution.

Then, after innumerable forms of torture, George was executed by decapitation in front of Nicomedia's defensive wall on April 23, 303. The witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to also become Christians, and so they also joined George in martyrdom as consequence. George's body was then returned to Lydda for burial, where Christians soon came to honour George as a martyr.

George and the dragon

St. George is often depicted with a dragon or some other serpentine creature under his feet. This comes from a legend whose details may vary according to local tradition.
The tale begins with a dragon making its nest at the spring (or lake) that provided a town (either near Beirut or Silena, Libya, often) with water. Consequently, the citizens had to temporarily remove the dragon from its nest in order to collect water. To do so, they offered the dragon a daily human sacrifice. The victim of the day was chosen by drawing lots. Eventually, the "winner" of this lottery happened to be the local princess. The local monarch is occasionally depicted begging for her life with no result. She is offered to the dragon, but at this point a traveling George arrives. He faces the dragon, and, after invoking the name of the Holy Trinity, slays it and saves the princess. The grateful citizens then abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity.

The story may or may not be taken entirely literally. For example, the battle between George and the dragon may represent the battle between Christianity and Satan or between St. Michael, the archangel, and Lucifer. Dragon-slaying does appear to be a common religious theme; it may be the case that George has served as a Christianized version of older Indo-European deities and their folklore.

Sts. George and Demetrius

Icon of St. George from the Monastery of Christ of Symvoulas, in Cyprus

Iconography

St. George is most commonly depicted in early icons, mosaics and frescoes wearing the armour of a Roman soldier. After the fall of Constantinople and the association of St. George with the crusades, he is more often portrayed mounted upon a white horse. At the same time St. George began to be associated with St. Demetrius, another early martyred Roman soldier. The two saints are often portrayed together mounted upon horses; in this respect they are likened to earthly manifestations of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. (Equating George with Michael is understandable, as many icons of Michael also portray him on a horse slaying a dragon.) St. George is always depicted upon a white horse and St. Demetrius on a red horse (or a black horse where the pigment used has decayed).

Churches

In Lydda in Palestine (his mother's birthplace), a church dedicated to St. George and containing his relics is associated with miraculous healings. The dedication of the church under the reign of St. Constantine (305-337) is commemorated, with the translation of St. George's relics, on November 3.

Rare icons

Another church, dedicated to St. George recently, is associated with the Monastery of Christ of Symvoulas (Simvulo, Cyprus). This church is in construction and is referred to as "St. George of Symvoulas" in honour of an ancient icon bearing the same name and is associated with miraculous healings.